NHL Notes: Tortorella to have Monday hearing in New York

The Vancouver Canucks coach will reportedly have an in-person hearing with NHL vice-president Colin Campbell at the league offices to explain his actions during Saturday’s game against the Calgary Flames at Rogers Arena. A significant fine or suspension is likely.

A fired-up Tortorella tried to get into the Flames dressing room — coach Bob Hartley appeared to be his target — during the first intermission after the two teams had a line brawl to start the game. He was pushed back, at least in part, by Flames tough guy Brian McGrattan and Calgary goalie coach Clint Malarchuk had to be restrained by several members of the team’s staff after following Tortorella down a hallway.

"I have no idea what’s going to happen," Tortorella said of possible league discipline. "I’m not speaking on that. I’m not going to go there."

During the brawl, which started just as the puck dropped to start the game, Tortorella engaged in a war of words with the Flames bench. Eight players were ejected for their part in the donnybrook, which resulted in just over 150 minutes in penalties.

"I’m not proud of it," Tortorella said of the brawl. "I apologized to every one of the players involved in it. I don’t feel great about it at all."

But, Tortorella explained, he felt he had no choice to start his toughest players after seeing the Flames’ starting lineup, which included McGrattan, Kevin Westgarth and Blair Jones. Canucks defenceman Kevin Bieksa stepped in to take the opening draw against Westgarth.

"It shouldn’t be in the game, that stuff. I don’t want it in the game," Tortorella said. "But I have to protect my team, too. So all the pundits, all the people pissing and moaning, they don’t have a clue what a locker-room’s about. They don’t understand the whole circumstance involved in that type of situation.

"It’s easy for people to say, ‘Oh, put the Sedins out there and it’s deflated.’ I can’t put our players at risk that way. With the lineup he had, I’m not going to put those type of players at risk. And that’s what ensues."

WILD TIME IN CREASE

When Josh Harding comes off the injured reserve list, the Minnesota Wild might keep three goalies on the roster the rest of the season.

In the absence of Harding, who has been out dealing with issues surrounding multiple sclerosis, Darcy Kuemper has played well enough that Wild coach Mike Yeo could keep him around instead of returning him to Minnesota’s AHL affiliate. Kuemper started ahead of veteran Niklas Backstrom Saturday.

If he keeps winning games, we’re not going to send him down," Yeo told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "I can’t see why we would do that. These things always have a way of sorting themselves out. We can’t start looking too far ahead."

Harding has missed nine games but returned to practice last week.

Meanwhile, Zach Parise could return to the lineup later this week. Parise has missed 13 games with a broken foot.

"I’m just waiting for the green light to get him more involved in practice," Yeo said.

KANE LOOKING GOOD

Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane took part in practice Sunday and will go all out again Monday.

Kane is currently on the team’s injured reserve list with a gash on his right hand, but all signs point to him being ready to return to the lineup Tuesday when Winnipeg visits the Anaheim Ducks.

"It’s feeling a lot better than it has been," Kane said of his hand, which got cut in a fight with Tampa Bay’s Eric Brewer Jan. 7. "I’m getting back into game shape, and I was able to skate today, so it was good."

Kane has missed the last four games because of the deep cut. He has yet to play for new head coach Paul Maurice, who has guided the Jets to three wins in his first three games.

BRIEFLY

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn won’t be punished for his elbow on Minnesota Wild forward Matt Cooke, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. The NHL’s department of player safety says the hit was a "protective maneouver" and won’t suspend or fine Benn … New York Islanders defenceman Lubomir Visnovsky practiced Sunday for the first time since suffering a concussion Oct. 20. The 37-year-old still hasn’t been cleared for contact, though … Philadelphia Flyers defenceman Marc-Andre Bourdon, out all season dealing with concussion symptoms, has been cleared for contact and is expected to be sent to Adirondack of the AHL on a conditioning stint. Bourdon hasn’t played since Nov. 30, 2012 … Tampa Bay Lightning defenceman Victor Hedman sat out against the Carolina Hurricanes due to an ankle injury. Hedman was hurt blocking a shot Saturday against the San Jose Sharks.

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